Improving weather conditions and the onset of spring means that the Community Council can get out and about and shake off the winter.

By the time you read this we will have had our first beach clean of the year. The shrub beds in the square are also in need of care and attention and we shall be notifying our gardening volunteers for action shortly.

We are following this up with a community event this Saturday, March 4, for clubs and societies in the town to advertise their varied talent and expertise. We hope that this will encourage recruitment of members to help clubs flourish and additionally encourage the youth of the town to participate in whatever sport or recreational/ hobby interest that holds a personal appeal.

Retail

 

Some years ago the HCC held a meeting for retailers in the town which allowed concerns and improvements to be aired and discussed. Much has changed since then and, since we are lucky to have three or four retailers sitting on the Community Council who have a close connection with the Federation of Small Businesses, we are sponsoring another up-to-date meeting which will examine all the aspects of small business operation in Helensburgh. This will be held at the Victoria Halls at 6.30pm on Wednesday, March 15.

Innovation

Two of our councillors, Tariq Durrani and Nigel Millar, have been working on an initiative over a number of years that is finally coming to fruition. The Helensburgh Innovation Hub for entrepreneurs is established in the library and is coming on stream shortly.

Waterfront

As you are all aware the last piece of the jigsaw, now that the leisure centre is open, and flourishing, is the undeveloped area bordering Clyde Street. We, on behalf of the Helensburgh community, have a vested and mutual interest with Argyll and Bute Council to ensure that this area is developed to suit both our interests and the long term benefit to the town.

HCC has recently formed a partnership with the council’s commercial investment manager to make sure that our mutual interests are fully discussed and taken account of in any engagement process. In the meantime we will continue to canvass your views and keep you informed.

Online

We are always looking at ways to update our communications and keep a two-way process functioning between ourselves and the community. Our website is in the process of being updated and we try through Facebook to ensure that any information is passed in a timely and widespread fashion.

We encourage contact with us and hopefully we shall make ourselves more accessible with our website reset. All our meetings are held in public and we welcome your attendance and participation.